Also picking up his diploma and boarding the bus of destiny for his future was starting Bruin center Richard Courtney.

Caney Valley Trojan head coach Donnie Scott suffered the departure of several multi-year starters, including Logan Scott, Caleb Kohlmeyer and Jarred Brown, along with main reserves Blake Chew and Garrett Brown.

But, both head coaches expressed optimism, during Saturday’s KWON Radio Basketball Coaches Breakfast, about the prospects for success this coming season.

Bart and Scott joined several other area coaches in participating, either in person or on the phone, in the media event.

Comprising the panel were Bartlesville Radio sports announcers David Crawford and Adam Hooper and the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise sports editor.

The prep season gets underway locally with Barnsdall playing Monday on the road and hosting its home opener Tuesday.

Bartlesville, Caney Valley and Dewey are among the area programs that open the campaign Nov. 27.

Following is a summary of what some of the coaches had to say Saturday:

Jason Beschta,

Oklahoma Wesleyan men

Off to a 4-2 start — including a 4-0 mark at home — Beschta’s rebuilding plan is well ahead of schedule.

“We’ve got a mix of returnees and added a couple of nice pieces,” the second-year Eagles’ head coach said. “I think we’ve got a chance to be really good.”

A fresh talent that’s bolstered the team immediately is Connors State transfer point guard Devin Harris, Beschta said.

Senior Brian James — who’s been in the program for five years — “has a knack for getting to the ball,” the coach said.

Another returning starter is center Phillip Jahn, who is leading the team in three-point shooting percentage.

First-year starters Tyler Woods and Steven Cooks are bringing much to the table, the coach continued.

Woods brings both an outside shooting threat or can penetrate successfully to the rack, Beschta said.

Cooks has shown “flashes of brilliance,” and is an impressive athlete for a 6-foot-6 guard.

Rogers, who is a senior, has made more of a contribution earlier than Beschta expected.

“He just continues to get better and better for us,” the coach added.

Beschta also explained why the Eagles are playing host twice to conference foe Bellevue University, the first time in December.

Due to the addition of Waldorf (Iowa) College to the conference, the travel schedule has become more cumbersome.

To cut down on miles, some of the teams are playing each other twice on the same weekend at the same gym.

Bellevue and OKWU worked it out so Bellevue will travel here on two different weekends, Beschta explained.

Glen Hass,

Nowata High School girls

Under the leadership of Haas, the Lady Ironmen have evolved from one of the least successful programs in the state into a solid Class 3A power.

Last year’s squad bounced back from a mid-season lull to finish .500.

Hass singled out the play of veteran seniors Kyandra Berry, Jordan Hill and Flordeliza Brown as a major key to success in 2012-13.

Brown is bouncing back from last year’s knee injury and is still 100 percent ready, Hass said.

Berry has looked a little rusty “but is a go-getter,” he said.

Hill earned All-League honors last year, and is a threat from anywhere on the floor.

Rounding out Nowata’s potential is a group of talented freshmen, some of who will be battling for varsity minutes, Hass said.

Hass is hoping his team builds on the foundation laid by last year’s team.

Capturing the Sperry Tournament title may have been the crowning achievement of the 2011-12 squad.

“We had nice group of seniors last year,” he said. “That was a nice reward for them. We started out well, we struggled through the middle of the schedule and then we kind of got back together.”

Nowata will begin the season with a short rotation, due to lack of experience.

But, by Christmas, Hass said he expects the other girls to gain enough experience to contribute.

As far as the program’s progress, Hass credited the dedication and work ethic of the players for the turnaround.

During a recent 5K run, the entire team participated.

“Stamina-wise and mentally they’re tougher,” he said.

Terry Rogers,

Bartlesville High girls

While several of the coaches are in rebuilding mode, Rogers enjoys a wealth of experience.

He returns all five starters from last year’s 17-9 team, plus two other girls with major varsity starting experience for the Lady Bruins, plus five other girls who play significant varsity minutes in 2011-12.

“We’re still young,” Rogers said, noting he will be starting two sophomores. “But, we’re very excited.”

Leading the way is fourth-year starting point guard/shooting guard Paige Wilson, the team’s top point-getter the past three seasons.

“She does it all,” Rogers said. “When we need a big basket, she’s the one we go to.”

Wilson’s defense also has improved, the coach said.

Another returning senior — who also is a four-year starter — is forward Sierra Crow.

“She’s a floor leader,” said Rogers. “She does the little things we need her to do.”

Prior to last year, Christenson never intended to coach high school basketball again, after a very successful career as an assistant and head at Pawhuska High School.

But, after he talked to Barnsdall High School Principal Rusty McCauley, he decided to make an encore return for the 2011-12 campaign.

He’s back again this year.

“We’re got a group of guys who are coachable who I want to work with or I wouldn’t be there,” he said.

Among some of his main performers this year should be Isiah Gott, Nathan Hayman, Cody Klutts and Luke Reeves, as well as former Panther wrestler Ethan Shaw and Caney Valley transfer Brandon Marshall, among others.

Reeves “has a lot of skills,” said Christenson. “But, he needs to be more mean.”

Shaw has been working hard, the coach added.

One of Christenson’s least favorite tasks is to play Shidler High School — which is coached by Christenson’s son Jay.

“To have to coach against him is no fun,” Christenson said. “But, when we step out for that game, it’s a battle.”

Christenson sees his association with Barnsdall coaching legend Joe Gilbert as one of the benefits of his job.

“He’s a great guy and a great guy to work with,” Christenson said, adding he has to prod Gilbert to get advice.

An ‘X’ factor that may produce positive dividends this winter is the success of the Barnsdall football season, which wrapped up two weeks ago.

Several of the Panther basketball players also contributed to the football team’s big turnaround season (from 0-10 in 2011 to 4-6 in 2012).

“You can see the difference in the players in the gym,” said Christenson. “I’ve seen some show a maturity that they didn’t have last year and I think they got that from football. … I think football did a great job of getting these guys competitive.”

Christenson predicted his team would be stronger this year.

Tim Bart,

Bartlesville High boys

With the season opener less than two weeks away, the veteran Bruin coach is hoping senior forward Jakob Hartsock has a quick recovery.

The 6-foot-8 Hartsock recently rolled his ankle “and is still not back 100 percent,” Bart said. “We’re expecting him to be a leader and score some points for us. Last year, I think he was our best three-point shooter.”

Another returning senior is forward Quinton Smith who, like Hartsock, is a third-year varsity starter.

“’Q’ needs to have a breakout season,” Bart said, adding Bartlesville’s success this season may hinge on how strong Smith plays.

Perhaps none of the new Bruin starters faces more pressure than sophomore point guard Antonio Castillo.

Castillo fills the role expertly manned the previous three seasons by Benson.

“He’s still learning,” Bart said about Castillo.

Junior Jackson Bart is being groomed for a power forward/center’s position.

He has played well in the preseason “and does the little things it takes to be successful,” coach Bart said.

Nick Shoemaker, Stephen Cochran, Jared Johnson and Crowder also are being looked at to play key roles.

“I think we’ve got five guys who can shoot it,” coach Bart said.

Promising freshman ballhandler A.J. Parker may suit up with the varsity to provide more depth at the point guard position, Bart said.

With less battle-tested experience in the backcourt, the Bruins will operate more out of a motion offense.

How quickly the Bruins adapt to that change may determine their level of success, Bart said.